For over two decades, FoBAB has brought together the nation’s leading barrel-aged brewing programs—featuring brewers who masterfully blend art and science, wood and bourbon, timing and technique—for a one-of-a-kind showcase of craftsmanship and innovation. This year, more than 170 breweries from across the country have entered their rarest and most exclusive wood- and barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads, and perries for judging. Explore the list of participating breweries below.
2024 FOBAB BEST IN SHOW
Hidden Hand Brewery – Oaked Val d’Or – Naperville, IL
2024 FOBAB BEST IN SHOWRUNNER UP
More Brewing Company Villa Park – Mehndi 2023 – Villa Park, IL
STRONG PORTER + STOUT
GOLD – Breakside Brewery & Taproom – Somebody New in the Old West – Milwaukie, OR
SILVER – White Oak Brewing – Into the Thick of It – Normal, IL
BRONZE – Firestone Walker – ParAmburana – Paso Robles, CA
STRONG PORTER + STOUT
GOLD – Cahaba Brewing Company – Romulus – Birmingham, AL
SILVER – Old Irving Brewing Company – Champurrado Krampus – Chicago, IL
BRONZE – Half Acre Beer Co. – Benthic 2 x 4 – Chicago, IL
BARLEYWINE/WHEATWINE
GOLD – Verboten Brewing – Double Oaked Cognac Grow Old With You – Loveland, CO
SILVER – Kros Strain Brewing – Barrelywine Vol.12 Single Barrel – LaVista, NE
BRONZE – Brothership Brewing – Noble Cask – Mokena, IL
BLENDED BEER
GOLD – The Lost Abbey – Serpent’s Kiss Imperial Stout for the Rare Beer Club 30th Anniversary – Vista, CA
SILVER – Third Eye Brewing – Barrel Aged Private Consciousness – Hamilton, OH
BRONZE – Verboten Brewing and Barrel Project – Grow In Darkness – Loveland, CO
OTHER PALE BEER
GOLD – Bubblehouse Brewing – That Escalated Swiftly – Lisle, IL
SILVER – Forbidden Root – Well Positioned – Oak Aged Saison – Chicago, IL
BRONZE – Sketchbook Brewing – Tripel G – Belgian Style Tripel – Skokie, IL
LAGERS
GOLD – Elmhurst Brewing – BA Elevator – Elmhurst, IL
SILVER – Kros Strain Brewing – Barrel-Aged Czech Dark Lager – LaVista, NE
BRONZE – Solemn Oath Brewery – Foederface – Naperville, IL
OTHER DARK BEER
GOLD – Half Acre Beer Co. – Orin – Chicago, IL
SILVER – Loose Ends Brewing – NPN – Applejack Brandy Barrel Aged – Centerville, OH
BRONZE – Sun King Brewery – Diddy Muckle – Fishers, IN
FRUIT BEER
GOLD – Revolution Brewing – Cherry V.S.O.J. – Chicago, IL
SILVER – Sun King Brewery – Soul Shakedown Party – Indianapolis, IN
BRONZE – Cruz Blanca Brewery – La Locura – Chicago, IL
SPECIALTY + EXPERIMENTAL
GOLD – Black Horizon Brewing – From Earth To You – Willowbrook, IL
SILVER – G5 Brewing Company – Eternal Burning – McFarland, WI
BRONZE – Cruz Blanca Brewery – Tepache Cowboy – Chicago, IL
WILD BEER BRETT
GOLD – Off Color Brewing – Funky Beer for Tacos – Chicago, IL
SILVER – Benchtop Brewing Company – Baby – Richmond, VA
BRONZE – Boulevard Brewing Company – Foeder 7 – Kansas City, MO
WILD BEER MIXED CULTURE (ACIDIC)
GOLD – Milieu Fermentation Company – SMOL – Aurora, CO
SILVER – Ike & Oak Brewing – Cutbow – Woodridge, IL
BRONZE – Imperial Oak Brewing-Brookfield Blanc Brookfield, IL
WILD BEER MIXED CULTURE (ACIDIC) W/ FRUIT
GOLD – Pryes Brewing – Idyll Forest: 2024 Soirée – Minneapolis, MN
SILVER – Firestone Walker Brewing – Primal Elements with Pink Guava and Pineapple – Buellton, CA
BRONZE – Lupulin Brewing Company – Star Damage – Calamansi & Sabro – Big Lake, MN
CIDER/PERRY/MEAD
GOLD – Misbeehavin’ Meads – Clint’s Apple Pie – Valparaiso, IN
SILVER – Misbeehavin’ Meads – Stake in the Tart – Valparaiso, IN
BRONZE – Right Bee Cider – Barrel-Aged Clementine – Chicago, IL
KANSAS CITY, MO — In celebration of 35 years of brewing in Kansas City, Boulevard Brewing Co. has announced their latest collaboration: the 35th Anniversary Ale. Aged in Soft Red Wheat Bourbon barrels and Ben Holladay Bottled in Bond barrels provided by Weston, Missouri-based Holladay Distillery, the 35th Anniversary Ale boasts a hearty 12.5% ABV and a dark malt-forward balance perfect for celebrations.
Paso Robles, California: Firestone Walker’s mythic Wookey Jack is back for a limited seasonal release. Born more than a dozen years ago, Wookey Jack (8.3%) is a Black Rye IPA whose legend continues to grow. This latest edition is rolling out to all Firestone Walker markets in six pack (12-ounce can) and draft formats for a limited time, adding to the lore of this three-time gold medalist at the Great American Beer Festival.
“Wookey Jack has a hardcore following and we get asked about it all the time,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “It’s a beer for those in the know and those who want to discover something different. Everyone loves the visual trick of Wookey Jack—it’s as black as a stout but drinks like an IPA.”